Potential Benefit of Fluoxetine Adjuvant Therapy to Mebeverine in Patient with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome is an important form of functional bowel disease. Mebeverine is a well-known antispasmodic that has been successfully used for many years to treat IBS. The preference for utilizing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is frequently significant because psychological issues are associated with the etiology of IBS.

Objectives: The study aimed to examine the effect of adding Fluoxetine as adjuvant therapy to Mebeverine on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Materials and Methods:  This study examined the effects of fluoxetine 20 mg capsule and Mebeverine 135 mg tablet on IBS symptoms. A total of 44 patients were recruited into the study. Twenty-one patients were given 135 mg of Mebeverine twice daily before meals by the doctor, and twenty-three patients were given 20 mg of fluoxetine once daily at bedtime in addition to 135 mg of Mebeverine twice daily before meals for two weeks.

Results: After two weeks of treatment with Mebeverine and fluoxetine there was a highly significant drop in the proportion of patients who reported substantial abdominal pain, and significant urgency (P < 0.01), which was absent in the group receiving Mebeverine (P>0.05) only. Both study groups had highly significant reductions in flatulence and stomach bloating within the first two weeks of treatment (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:  The findings revealed a highly significant and substantial decline in the abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, flatulence and substantial urgency in the group receiving both drugs (Mebeverine and fluoxetine) which result in more relief of irritable bowel symptoms in those patients.